Im hoping to avoid a jay feaster/ milbury type of gm in all honesty. I dont know enough about murray to fully endorse him. I still like and want benning as our gm.
- jaumiller

You do know that Feaster has won a Stanley Cup as a GM before right? I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.

I'm not sure how much of that team was constructed by him, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

And I'm not saying that I'd want him, or someone like him. Just playing devil's advocate.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 3m
@FriedgeHNIC @BNHarrington Murray had 2nd interview, appears frontrunner but no one's (Benning, Treliving, Futa) been told yet they r out.
- derekjd

Good to hear some GM news, just incase this hasnt been posted yet this is Murrays background...

"Tim Murray enters his seventh season with the Senators after being named assistant general manager on July 5, 2007. He also serves as the general manager of Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the 2011 Calder-Cup champion Binghamton Senators.

Murray’s NHL experience began in 1993-94 when he served as an amateur scout with the Detroit Red Wings. He joined the Florida Panthers in 1994, where his scouting career evolved until his departure as the club’s director of amateur scouting in 2002.

Murray served as director of player personnel, responsible for overseeing the amateur draft and college free agents, with the Anaheim Ducks from 2002-03 to 2004-05 before moving to the New York Rangers as assistant director of player personnel in July 2005. During his time with the Rangers, Murray was tasked with scouting the amateur ranks and evaluating potential free agents.

Tim is the son of Bryan Murray’s brother, Barrie. On July 21, 2012, he joined his uncles, Bryan and Terry, as inaugural inductees in Shawville’s Hockey Wall of Fame.

Murray and his wife, Kathy, have three children, Hailey, Justin and Jared."

I want it to be someone from an organization that just won the stanley cup recently and went through a build it through the draft approach... Futa or Benning. I would lean more towards Futa because of his 2nd round pick draft history and LA more closely resembles our situation than Boston.
- theblueandgold

I agree, only reason I like benning is because of the scouting he has done previously. If we are aiming towards a bigger tougher team then I like what benning could do. If we are leaning for a highly skilled offense type team, then we should go with futa. Im going off of what their current teams look like.

You do know that Feaster has won a Stanley Cup as a GM before right? I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.

I'm not sure how much of that team was constructed by him, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

And I'm not saying that I'd want him, or someone like him. Just playing devil's advocate.
- HonkFortheGoose

Oh I know but based off of what his teams did after I really dont like him.

I am high on Possler

I hope he is NHL ready for 15/16 season
- homiedclown

Our late round success has been awful from the 4th round down.

Starting with 2008 to be fair. I'll list those who have even sniffed the NHL for more than 10 games.

2008 - none
2007 - Paul Byron, 6th
2006 - none
2005 - Nathan Gerbe, 5th, Chris Butler, 4th
2004 - Pat Kaleta, 6th and if you want to count Mark Mancari. I wouldn't.
2003 - Jan Hejda, 4th, Nathan Paetsch (MFE senior), 7th
2002 - Dennis Wideman, 8th
2001 - none
2000 - Paul Gaustad , 7th. Oh, and he was the ONLY draft pick to play in the NHL from that year. Yep.

I know every team has first round busts, but the only players to have any real effect on this team from the last decade was Vanek, Stafford, Myers and Ennis. And the latter two were in the same year.

This decade, we hit on Pysyk, Armia will probably, hopefully pan out, Grigorenko/Girgensons yep, Zadorov/Risto yep. If we can start nailing one pick past the third round every year, we'll be in great shape. Bring in as many scouts as you can, Terry. I love the looks of this past years later rounders. We could have some real steals in Locke, Petersen and Possler. Florentino, from the limited info I've gathered, seems like he might pan out to be a stronger Ruhwedl. Could be cool?

I agree, only reason I like benning is because of the scouting he has done previously. If we are aiming towards a bigger tougher team then I like what benning could do. If we are leaning for a highly skilled offense type team, then we should go with futa. Im going off of what their current teams look like.
- jaumiller

Really? Because I think the scouting he did while he was here was subpar. And that's being generous.

Our late round success has been awful from the 4th round down.

Starting with 2008 to be fair. I'll list those who have even sniffed the NHL for more than 10 games.

2008 - none
2007 - Paul Byron, 6th
2006 - none
2005 - Nathan Gerbe, 5th, Chris Butler, 4th
2004 - Pat Kaleta, 6th and if you want to count Mark Mancari. I wouldn't.
2003 - Jan Hejda, 4th, Nathan Paetsch (MFE senior), 7th
2002 - Dennis Wideman, 8th
2001 - none
2000 - Paul Gaustad , 7th. Oh, and he was the ONLY draft pick to play in the NHL from that year. Yep.

I know every team has first round busts, but the only players to have any real effect on this team from the last decade was Vanek, Stafford, Myers and Ennis. And the latter two were in the same year.

This decade, we hit on Pysyk, Armia will probably, hopefully pan out, Grigorenko/Girgensons yep, Zadorov/Risto yep. If we can start nailing one pick past the third round every year, we'll be in great shape. Bring in as many scouts as you can, Terry. I love the looks of this past years later rounders. We could have some real steals in Locke, Petersen and Possler. Florentino, from the limited info I've gathered, seems like he might pan out to be a stronger Ruhwedl. Could be cool?
- TheSabresTaco

Justin Kea has really picked up his game since being drafted as well. Don't forget about him.

Foligno was a 4th rounder, BTW.

Our late round success has been awful from the 4th round down.

Starting with 2008 to be fair. I'll list those who have even sniffed the NHL for more than 10 games.

2008 - none
2007 - Paul Byron, 6th
2006 - none
2005 - Nathan Gerbe, 5th, Chris Butler, 4th
2004 - Pat Kaleta, 6th and if you want to count Mark Mancari. I wouldn't.
2003 - Jan Hejda, 4th, Nathan Paetsch (MFE senior), 7th
2002 - Dennis Wideman, 8th
2001 - none
2000 - Paul Gaustad , 7th. Oh, and he was the ONLY draft pick to play in the NHL from that year. Yep.

I know every team has first round busts, but the only players to have any real effect on this team from the last decade was Vanek, Stafford, Myers and Ennis. And the latter two were in the same year.

This decade, we hit on Pysyk, Armia will probably, hopefully pan out, Grigorenko/Girgensons yep, Zadorov/Risto yep. If we can start nailing one pick past the third round every year, we'll be in great shape. Bring in as many scouts as you can, Terry. I love the looks of this past years later rounders. We could have some real steals in Locke, Petersen and Possler. Florentino, from the limited info I've gathered, seems like he might pan out to be a stronger Ruhwedl. Could be cool?
- TheSabresTaco

I'm missing your point about drafting after the 4th round. Is it that we miss more players after the 4th round than the average team?

Justin Kea has really picked up his game since being drafted as well. Don't forget about him.

Foligno was a 4th rounder, BTW.
- HonkFortheGoose

I like Kea!
Where was Catanacci drafted?
I like Cat as well.

I'm missing your point about drafting after the 4th round. Is it that we miss more players after the 4th round than the average team?
- Rally_Shots

I don't know enough about other teams drafting to know whether or not we're doing better or worse. It's interesting to see how some of these guys pan out, but the round that's the most troubling for us, is the 1st IMO. I think the recent drafts have been better, but the past ones hurt us so bad that we're trying to recover from it now.

I like Kea!
Where was Catanacci drafted?
I like Cat as well.
- BuffaloHardHat

he was a 3rd rounder. So was Kea, but they said they reached on him a bit because they wanted him and didn't have a 4th rounder.

They were surprised Cat was still there in the 3rd. Thought he'd go higher.

Really? Because I think the scouting he did while he was here was subpar. And that's being generous.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'd think he's grown and learned a bit since then, considering where he is and what they've done.

Really? Because I think the scouting he did while he was here was subpar. And that's being generous.
- HonkFortheGoose

I mean he did find ryan miller.....

I mean he did find ryan miller.....
- jaumiller

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

I'd think he's grown and learned a bit since then, considering where he is and what they've done.
- stashu

True, but I think I'm with Buff19 on this one. I'd kinda like to see them bring someone in with no previous ties to the organization.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
- HonkFortheGoose

I still think he is one of our better options.

True, but I think I'm with Buff19 on this one. I'd kinda like to see them bring someone in with no previous ties to the organization.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree with that also, but id like it to be someone with expierience building a consistent playoff team.

I don't know enough about other teams drafting to know whether or not we're doing better or worse. It's interesting to see how some of these guys pan out, but the round that's the most troubling for us, is the 1st IMO. I think the recent drafts have been better, but the past ones hurt us so bad that we're trying to recover from it now.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ya, I think he might have way too high of expectations for the 4th round and beyond. Not too many players ever pan out that are drafted there. If I remember correctly the chance of first rounders panning out was only around 60% for the average NHL team.

(And by panning out I mean being a NHL player)

I like Kea!
Where was Catanacci drafted?
I like Cat as well.
- BuffaloHardHat

Kea's stats:

Justin Kea
Center
Born Feb 7 1994 -- Woodville, ONT
Height 6.04 -- Weight 201 -- Shoots R


Selected by Buffalo Sabres round 3 #73 overall 2012 NHL Entry Draft

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010-11 Saginaw Spirit OHL 62 4 2 6 49 10 0 1 1 0
2011-12 Saginaw Spirit OHL 65 3 11 14 76 12 1 4 5 2
2012-13 Saginaw Spirit OHL 68 22 26 48 102 4 1 0 1 7
2013-14 Saginaw Spirit OHL 40 14 19 33 67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love how you can see that as soon as his role was increased with the team, his production jumped. And if he keeps up his current pace (.82 ppg) he'll finish with more points this year than last. I like to see that growth out of a guy.

He's never going to be a top 6 guy, but he should be an improvement over what we have in our bottom 6.

Ya, I think he might have way too high of expectations for the 4th round and beyond. Not too many players ever pan out that are drafted there. If I remember correctly the chance of first rounders panning out was only around 60% for the average NHL team.

(And by panning out I mean being a NHL player)
- Rally_Shots

I'm not sure on that. I know they did a full breakdown about that on WGR the one day with Ted Black. The higher you pick, the higher the percentage the player would be not only an NHLer, but a productive one.

new blog
- Stripes77

Bump.

he was a 3rd rounder. So was Kea, but they said they reached on him a bit because they wanted him and didn't have a 4th rounder.

They were surprised Cat was still there in the 3rd. Thought he'd go higher.
- HonkFortheGoose

Thanks Goose.
What do you think of Catanacci?
I personally think both Kea and Catanacci have a future in the NHL.

Justin Kea has really picked up his game since being drafted as well. Don't forget about him.

Foligno was a 4th rounder, BTW.
- HonkFortheGoose

Kea a 3rd

Also, Foligno was '09

I'm not sure on that. I know they did a full breakdown about that on WGR the one day with Ted Black. The higher you pick, the higher the percentage the player would be not only an NHLer, but a productive one.
- HonkFortheGoose

Well ya, a top 5 pick has better odds than the 25th pick. I was talking about picks from general rounds.

Here is what this thesis from 2011 says on NHL draft picks:
http://myslu.stlawu.edu/~...s/Schuckers_NHL_Draft.pdf

Chance of playing over 200 NHL games by round

1st: around 40%
2nd: around 20%
3rd: around 14%
4th: around 10%
5th: around 8%
6th:around 7%
7th:around 5%

Ullmark?


I kid, I kid
- homiedclown

According to Kris Baker, Ullmark is going to be the one.